Thailand’s smoking ban on 24 beaches now in effect with more beaches to follow

Thailand’s smoking ban on 24 beaches in 15 provinces now in effect

Smoking is banned on beaches in many parts of the world. Starting February 1st, 2018, Thailand has joined the growing list of countries not allowing people to smoke on their beaches, with 24 Thai beaches in 15 provinces now under a smoking ban.

After all, when tests that were done on several Thai beaches discovered tens of thousands of discarded cigarette butts in just a small area (1770,000 cigarette butts were found on a 2 kilometer stretch of Chala That beach in Songkla alone), it became obvious it was time something was done.

Thailand’s smoking ban on beaches is being taken seriously by the Thai authorities as well, with fines up to 100,000 baht (currently around $3,175) and a possible one-year jail term.

It does not mean, however, that you must go down to the beach in Thailand and not be able to smoke for hours, as Thai authorities are aware smoking is addictive and so smokers need to light up often.

That is why there will be designated smoking areas with ash trays available behind each beach, where you can go and join other smokers who also cannot go for a couple of hours without a smoke.

As for the 24 Thai beaches where smoking is now banned? These are:

Ban Cheun Beach, Trat

Laem Sade Beach, Chanthaburi

Saeng Chan Beach, Rayong

Bang Kaen Beach, Chon Buri

Tham Pang Beach, Chon Buri

Sai Kaeo Beach, Chon Buri

Dong Tan Beach, Chon Buri

Cha-am Beach, Phetchaburi

Hua Hin Beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan

Khao Takiab Beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan

Hat Said Res Beach, Champhon

Bo Phut Beach, Ko Samui, Surat Thani

Chalok Ban Kao Beach, Ko Phangan, Surat Thani

Plai Sai Beach, Nakhon Si Thammarat

Chalatat Beach, Songkhla

Wasukree Beach, Pattani

Patong Beach, Phuket

Ko Kai Nok Beach, Phang-nga

Ko Kai Nai Beach, Phang-nga

Khao Lak Beach, Phang-nga

Phra Ae Beach, Krabi

Khlong Dao Beach, Krabi

Khok Wang Beach, Krabi

Hat Samran Beach, Trang

But, don’t just look at this list of 24 beaches and decide to go somewhere else.

That’s because you may also want to be aware Thailand’s beach smoking ban is going to be extended to many other beaches around the Kingdom in coming months. So it may be a good idea to just not smoke anywhere near a beach the next time you are heading there.

As for vaping, if you are thinking of doing that instead of smoking a ‘real cigarette’, you should also know vaping and possessing any vape paraphernalia is illegal in Thailand, with up to five years in jail and a hefty fine.

And yes, plenty of people do vape in Thailand and vaping products are readily available in many areas of the country. It does not make it any less illegal, however, because, remember… TIT…This is Thailand.